Concord in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Bigelow Bridge

By Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015

1. The Bigelow Bridge Marker

Inscription. The Bigelow Bridge over the Cattaraugus Creek is significant as an intact example of a "Pennsylvania (Petit)" truss. This is a Parker truss modified with the addition of sub-struts, resting on reinforced concrete abutments. This is an unusual bridge type in New York State and may represent the work of a Pennsylvania bridge builder rather than the typical New York bridge company. This type of truss structure was more commonly employed by railroads. Built in 1925, this single-span steel bridge is also important as a prominent element in an unaltered rural setting. The bridge was designed for very heavy live loads, which may relate to the historic use of this road as a motor truck route between the southern tier and the Niagara Frontier. By 1928, the motor truck had become an indispensable factor in the total economic system in western New York. At the same time the farm products of the rural southern tier were transported along NY 240, crossing the Bigelow Bridge by truck to Buffalo to sustain the inhabitants in a growing economy. Bigelow Bridge retains a high degree of historic integrity.

The adjoining areas of Cattaraugus Creek are also listed on the Nationwide Rivers Inventory because they possess areas of significant topography, diversity and variation. These sections of Cattaraugus Creek have outstanding remarkable geologic

By Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015

2. Westward Towards NY 240 Intersection

value and are eligible for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Location. 42° 29.784′ N, 78° 38.471′ W. Marker is in Concord, New York, in Erie County. Marker is at the intersection of South Vaughn Street (New York State Route 240) and Randall Drive, on the left when traveling south on South Vaughn Street. Touch for map. Randall Drive is segmented. Both ends intersect with NY 240. The marker is at the south intersection. Marker is in this post office area: Springville NY 14141, United States of America.

Left to right: parking lot, marker, Bigelow Bridge, current NY 240 bridge. The far side of the bridges is Cattaraugus County.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on February 13, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 13, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.